Controlling Cable Co's Set Top Box w/MCE

Anyone have some insight on how to change channels of a proprietary set top
box (specifically the Scientific Atlanta Explorer 2100) through MCE.

It's a HW issue, any suppliers and p/n's would be helpful.

 

I might just amend this to say I have built my own PC, and need some pointers
to proper IR devices.

 

Do you have the MCE remote and the IR blaster that comes with it?

 

John, the quick answer is no, but I can easily get my hands on one. However,
that is not the problem. The problem is I have no where to plug the IR
Blaster into on my PC. I've built my own PC, my (Intel) motherboard does not
have an IR Blaster port embedded (although I'd love to know a motherboard
provider that does and MCE supported). If MSFT could provide a USB IR Blaster
this would solve the problem, or recommend a supported OEM that does would be
perfect.

Also, MSFT should remove or correct this headline article from the MSFT MCE
web zone:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/mce/expert/bowman_dualtuners.mspx In
particular the section "Add or Configure a Dual IR Control Cable-Capable USB
IR Receiver" details basically the problem I have -- getting an IR Blaster
port when you don't have one. The author talks about an USB IR Blaster, but
gives no specific OEM and p/n. There is also a major error in saying " ... an
external USB IR receiver that can control two set-top boxes". NO, an "IR
receiver" cannot control a set top box, you need an IR emitter (Blaster)
hardwired to the PC as the Master, the set top box is then slaved through the
IR control path -- the author and article looses a lot of credability with
that statement.

As an engineer and consumer I consider the inability of MCE to smoothly get
proprietary set top box Digital TV into the PC as a major roadblock to
proliferation of the MCE OS. It's not MSFT's fault, it's obviously the cable
box guys who don't want to open up their systems. FYI, this is an old
problem. The set top box guys (e.g. Scientific Atlanta) themselves have a "IR
Blaster" like product that is used to control VCR's in the days before DVR's.
http://www.sciatl.com/customers/source/752296.pdf

Any clarification or corrections would be appreciated.

Mike.

 

An IR receiver that plugs into the USB port is exactly what Microsoft do provide
with the MCE remote control & little bugs for controlling the set top box.

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/prod...2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=77109
or http://tinyurl.com/4sva9

I think you are misunderstanding something here. The IR receiver plugs into the
USB port. A little bug on the end of a wire sticks over the IR receiver on the
STB while the other end plugs into the IR receiver on the MCE machine. There can
be up to two IR bugs with MCE 2005. One for each STB & doesn't interfere with
the other. This of course is required for two STB as an IR Blaster normally
floods the whole room. Literally blasts IR

 

Yep, as the other responder said, you're looking at it from too technical a
standpoint.

The IR emitter / receiver is all part of the $30 remote kit you can get. The
emitters plug into the receiver and have long lengths to reach the set top
boxes they'll control. The receiver itself is USB and connects to the
computer that way.

That's it, and you should be good to go.

 

The IR blaster plugs into the remote control receiver, which plugs into your
PC's USB port. If you don't have the remote control receiver, then you can't
plug in an IR blaster. If you buy a remote (from any number of places), you
get the remote, receiver and USB cable, and IR blaster and cable.

Dana Cline - MVP

 

Okay, All, Thanks for the clarification. Best I can see, MSFT does not have a
spec for the USB IR receiver dongle (or rather, thecomplete MCE remote
package) -- if there is, what's the URL? It would have been particullarly
helpful if I could have seen the back of it (which I presume from Nigel's
comments) has two IR Blaster (emitter output) ports on it. It would also
have been helpful if the article I took some shots at could have a drawing
showing the physical connections -- the article is clearly fuzzy if you don't
have advanced detail knowledge of the USB IR receiver dongle.

Again, thanks all. Next topic will be how to control a Scientific Atlanta
DVR through MCE instead of needing two set top boxes.... BTW, because of the
Cable TV provider's monopoly on proprietary set to boxes this whole topic is
an old one. If you want to see how Scientific Atlanta solved the Set Top Box
controlling VCR's prior to DVR's see this link:
http://www.sciatl.com/customers/source/752296.pdf It's a 1pg pdf showing
their "IR Blaster" (MSFT would be helpful if they had such a document for
their MCE remote package). The problem has now morphed to the PC trying to
control the DVR ..... I think I'd switch to Satellite TV if I could, but my
building may take issue with a dish hanging off the side of my building 20
floors up here in NYC

 

Best I can do is this:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=80-100-202&depa=0

has three views, one which shows the unit.

what you can't see on the back of it is the two 1/8" female plugs where the
ir goes.

This is a little different than the one that came with 2004. The one with
2004 had a normal USB cable that you could use any USB cable for (it came
with a LONG one, like this one does, but the old one was removable - the new
one it's integrated and can't be replaced or swapped for a shorter one). the
old one also had 4 plugs in back for blasters - though it couldn't do four...


Hope this helps a bit.